royal victoria motor yacht club

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

260 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, Australia

Why you'll love Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

• Enjoy an expansive views of the water and best view of the city of Melbourne.
• With affordable and flexible event packages.
• Perfect for birthdays, weddings, christenings, conferences or corporate events.

About the venue

Perched on the water’s edge in Williamstown, our club has expansive views of the Melbourne skyline.

Enjoy a meal or drink in our dining room, terrace or a counter meal in the clubhouse bar and then explore the historical port of Williamstown. The Members’ Bar on the first floor is open to club members, guests and kindred club members.

Our clubhouse pays homage to maritime style, referencing its unique heritage. Large open-plan balconies have expansive views of the water and what is undoubtedly the best view of the Melbourne cityscape.

RVMYC offers a social experience second to none for members and guests, to enjoy dining in a relaxed atmosphere and in convivial surroundings near the water’s edge.

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club Function Rooms

Mariner Events Room

Our Events Room overlooks our beautiful marina, with large open glass doors your event can be sheltered from the weather or embrace the vibrant sunshine along with Melbourne's skyline.

Reviews for Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

Richard T.Whybrow

We were honored to be attending with our generous friends (whom are members), for a wonderful luncheon, over looking the marina, with magnificent views across to the city. The food and service was superb and the company even better. I would highly recommend everything about this brilliantly presented venue and its operation. Thanks again for a wonderful day.

Great views of Melbourne skyline over the water. We only had coffee, as the kitchen was closed, which was average. Staff were friendly. Plenty of space indoors and on large balcony.

Service was excellent. Terri was warm and welcoming. All good. (But the chips could have been cooked longer)

This place never came up from google when I look for meals, but it’s actually very nice! First up, visitors and guests are welcome. Sign in with ID is required just outside the restaurant. The view is great, if you are looking for a venue with water view, nothing closer than this in the strip. The decor is good, not fine dining quality but good, clean and updated! More like a good pub kind of feel, which matches with its price points. The service was wonderful, two waitresses were attentive and engaging. We couldn’t get through the gate on the street, when we buzzed thru the intercom, one of the waiters came all the way out to open the gate for us, nothing was too much trouble for him, nice young man! The menu (both food and drinks) wasn’t too expansive but enough for us. We had the steak fritters with complimentary wine. The steak was cooked exactly to our liking. The salad was the highlight for me. Most restaurants just dump the salad from the delivery box and put the dressing on. All salads on our table were lively, look fresh and crisp. Not a single wilt leaf, not a piece of yellowish leaf, each leaf was dancing by the steak-side! I didn’t have too much expectations on the complimentary wine, to my surprise, it was very good! Check this place out even without a membership! Give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised, hope you’ll too!

Went here for a function. The function room was large and had outside access and nice views. Bar staff and wait staff were very friendly and efficient. Food at the function was delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an event cost at royal victorian motor yacht club.

Please enquire for pricing and availability.

This may be subject to change due to seasonality, day of the week, duration and your specific requirements. For an accurate quote for your event please send an enquiry or contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts.

What type of events can be hosted at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club?

The following types of events can be held at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club:

- 30th Birthday Party

- 40th Birthday Party

- 50th Birthday Party

- Bar Mitzvah

- Birthday Party

- Christmas Party

- Cocktail Party

- Corporate Function

- End of Financial Year Party

- Corporate Offsite

- Engagement Party

- Networking Event

- Product Launch

- Trivia Night

- University Ball

- 21st Birthday Party

- Awards Dinner

- Baby shower

- Bat Mitzvah

- Bridal shower

- Christening

- Conference

- Hens Night

- Gala Dinner

- Private Dining

- 18th Birthday Party

- Bucks Night

- Corporate Retreat

- Executive Retreat

- Residential Conference

If your specific event type is not on the list, contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts and they will check if Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club is able to facilitate your event or will help you find an alternate venue.

How do I find out if Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club is available for my event date?

The best way to find out if Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club is available for your event date is to send an enquiry through or get in contact with one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts.

Availability at many venues around the country is limited so if your date is flexible, please let the VenueNow team know and the venue may be able to provide a range of dates that suit your needs.

I have more questions. How do I get in contact?

There are a number of ways you can get in contact:

1) Call the VenueNow team on 1300 647 488 during business hours AEST

2) Contact the VenueNow team via our online chat in the bottom right of the screen

3) Submit an enquiry via the form on the page

The VenueNow team usually reply within a few hours during Australian business.

What steps are involved in booking an event at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club?

There are a few steps involved in booking an event at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club and the VenueNow team are here to do the heavy lifting for you.

Firstly, contact the VenueNow team by submitting an enquiry or speaking to one of our team members online or over the phone. We'll need to collect a few details from you, such as your:

- Event type

- Number of people attending

- Preferred event date & time (and if this is flexible)

- Budget (per person or total)

- Room layout

- Food and beverage / catering requirements

- Any other requirements

Once we've gathered these details, the VenueNow team will contact the team at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club to check:

1) Can they host the event on your preferred date / time? If not, what are some alternate dates / times?

2) What is the estimated cost based on your event requirements?

This process tends to take around 1 business day on average to receive a response from the venue. Once we've received a response, the VenueNow team will contact you as soon as possible.

If you're happy with the proposed price and dates / times, the VenueNow team will connect you with the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club to finalise your booking (which may include a site visit if you choose to do so).

VenueNow provides this service free of charge to you as we are paid a small fee by Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club if you book via us.

What catering / food and beverage options are available at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club?

The following food and beverage / catering options are available for guests at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club:

- Coffee / Tea

- Inhouse Catering

- Filtered Water

For more information regarding food and beverage / catering options, please contact a VenueNow Event Booking Expert.

Where is the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club located?

It is located at 260 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, Australia.

What are the venue features of the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club?

Famous for its incredible Melbourne City views, boutique wines and personalised service, The Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club is the perfect setting for magical waterfront wedding ceremonies and other social gatherings.

This venue boasts unbeatable views of the Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne city skyline. Accommodate up to 180 guests seated guests and 300 cocktail guests. The venue is fully equipped with modern facilities and equipment that you can use to host your event. Other highlights include:

- Onsite parking

- State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment

- Large outdoor deck areas

- Wide range of function room options

- Professional service staff

The beautiful catering services of the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club are unlike any other. It even won ‘Events Caterer of the Year 2018' -Restaurant and Catering Awards. Outdoor Area is also available for hire. Truly, with a team of passionate, personable and fun event enthusiasts, each event is elevated to a creative and vibrant experience.

What is the capacity of the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club?

Full venue: 340

Members Bistro (Membership required): 80

Members Bar (Membership required): 100

Terrace: 100

Function room:

-Banquet: 160

-Cocktail: 300

What is on the menu at the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club?

You can view the venue's full menu below:

Bistro Menu

Bar and Happy Hour Menu

Drinks Menu

Amenities & Extras

Food & beverage, audio visual equipment (av), other amenities & extras.

• Functions & Dining

RESERVATIONS          FUNCTIONS & EVENTS         MEMBERS BBQ & LAWN

The RVMYC Members Bar, Dining Room & Terrace

Perched on the water’s edge in Williamstown, our club has expansive views of the Melbourne skyline.

Enjoy a meal in our dining room or outdoor terrace, or sit back and relax with a drink in the clubhouse bar and then explore the historical port of Williamstown.

The Members’ Bar on the first floor is open to club members, guests and kindred club members. The bar is open on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from midday.

Our clubhouse pays homage to maritime style, referencing its unique heritage. Large open plan balconies have expansive views of the water and what is undoubtedly the best view of the Melbourne cityscape.

RVMYC offers a social experience second to none for members and guests, to enjoy dining in a relaxed atmosphere and in convivial surroundings near the water’s edge.

The RVMYC welcomes new visitors to the Club. For those non-members wishing to dine at the RVMYC, we offer a Temporary Membership at a low $82. This entitles Temporary Members use of the Clubhouse for a period of 30 days. Take advantage of this great offer by contacting the club on 9393 2888 or email [email protected] .

General Hours of Operation: Bistro Wed, Fri, * Sat: Dinner from 6pm,Sat & Sun: Lunch from 12pm.  Bar Wed & Fri from 5pm, Sat & Sun from 12pm. * If no bookings are received for dinner prior to 6pm, the bistro will not be in operation. No walk-ins will be accepted.

For Members wishing to book within the Bistro, call the club during business hours on 9393 2888 or email [email protected] to make your reservation. Outside business hours, including weekends email: [email protected] or call 9393 2888 to make your reservation.

BISTRO MENU (Click to view. Subject to change)

Functions & Events

Members of the royal victorian motor yacht club can hold private functions in the downstairs ‘marina view’ function room or upstairs in the members’ dining room. rvmyc is one of melbourne’s most picturesque venues overlooking the bay and the melbourne city skyline. the club is an ideal venue to host your next birthday, wedding, christening, family gathering conference or corporate event. for more information about membership, including temporary membership, email: [email protected] ..

Please use this form for function enquiries only. Do not use this form to make a reservation in the Bistro.

Preferred Date

Number of guests

Event style select Cocktail Banquet Conference Wedding

Message (optional)

BBQ & Lawn Area

Enjoy the in-house bbq facilities and the picturesque views over port phillip bay and the melbourne skyline. our bbq facilities include 2 large triple burners with all cutlery and plates available for exclusive member use., bookings essential, please contact the office on: 03 9393 2888.

The Committee has reviewed the Club’s By-Laws, specifically By-Laws numbered 57, 66 and 70 and determined members are permitted to take and consume BYO alcohol into and within the Club’s designated BBQ Area.

• Upcoming Events
• 03 9393 2888
• 260 Nelson Place Williamstown VIC 3016
• Click for Opening Hours
• Member Login Coming Soon!

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Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

260 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Melbourne

+61 3 9393 2888

• Official Website

The RVMYC was established in 1904 and is made up of boating enthusiasts, engaging in the community and focusing on Victoria's maritime history.

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  |   N48 27.2' W123 17.7' |     WEBCAMS

On the Water

Since 1892, The Royal Victoria Yacht Club has encouraged yachting, boating, navigation and seamanship among all of our members. One of our main objectives is to uphold and celebrate the traditions of yachting and to actively steward and advocate for our marina boating environment. 

We encourage diversity, inclusivity and camaraderie while messing around in boats. 

Sail Programs

Outstations.

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

Contact and address.

Opening Hours:

Location & routing

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Photos of Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club On the Web

Boating - rvmyc - royal victorian motor yacht club.

The Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club is first and foremost a boating club. We offer an extensive range of both competitive, recreational and social boating activities. ... 03 9393 2888 ; 260 Nelson Place Williamstown VIC 3016; Click for Opening Hours; Member Login Coming Soon!

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club Restaurant - Williamstown, AU-VIC ...

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club is a Bistro restaurant in Williamstown, AU-VIC. Read reviews, view the menu and photos, and make reservations online for Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club .

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club opening hours

Find opening & closing hours for Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club in 260 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria, 3016 and check other details as well, such as: map, phone number, website. ... +61 3 9393 2888 . Call: +61393932888. Route planning . Website Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club opening hours. Closes in 1 h 15 ...

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club - Australian Telephone Book

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club . 03 9393 2888 ; 260 Nelson Pl, Williamstown, VIC, 3016 ; [email protected]; Top; Location / Contact; Home Organisations & Associations. Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club . 260 Nelson Pl Williamstown, VIC 3016 ...

RVMYC - Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club - Home

260 Nelson Place Williamstown, VIC, Australia 3016. The RVMYC was established in 1904 and is made up of boating enthusiasts, engaging in the community and focusing on Victoria's maritime history. Office Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm Monday - Friday. Bistro & Bar Open for Lunch & Dinner.

Home | Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

03 9397 1277 120 Nelson Place Williamstown VIC 3016. Newsletter Signup. RYCV acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land our Club sits on and the waters we sail.

PROPELLER - Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

Issue 111 February 2021 PROPELLER ROYAL VICTORIAN MOTOR YACHT CLUB | ESTABLISHED 1904 INSIDE Commodore's Report Summer What's New P h o t o B o a r d Members Kaylene & Shana Evers, Shirley Lopez Geelong Yacht Race 2021 & her crew w their new boat & PWC licences. ...

RVMYC - Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club - Inicio

RVMYC - Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club , Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. 652 Me gusta · 49 personas están hablando de esto · 1.002 personas estuvieron aquí. The RVMYC was established in 1904 and...

Paul Doherty - Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club | ZoomInfo.com

Paul Doherty is a Treasurer at Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club based in Williamstown, Victoria. Read More. Export. Get Full Access to Paul's Info . Last Update. 10/11/2021 4:41 AM. Email. @rvmyc.com.au. Direct Phone +61 *** *** *** Get Phone Number. HQ Phone +61 3 9393 2888 . Company Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club . Location. 260 Nelson Pl ...

RVMYC - Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club - الصفحة الرئيسية

‏‎RVMYC - Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club ‎‏, ‏‎Williamstown, Victoria, Australia‎‏. ‏‏٦٩٨‏ تسجيل إعجاب · يتحدث ‏٣١‏ عن هذا · كان ‏١٬٠٨١‏ هنا‏. ‏‎The RVMYC was established in 1904 and is made up of...

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• ☰ Menu

Visiting Us

• About the RVYC
• The Club House
• On the Water
• Club Racing
• Open Events

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME VISITORS AND RALLIES TO OUR PONTOON. WE DO ASK THAT YOU KINDLY BOOK AHEAD OF YOUR VISIT - PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] TO BOOK.

IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO VISIT US ON A SATURDAY, COULD YOU PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL AHEAD. EMAIL [email protected]. BY CALLING AHEAD, WE CAN ENSURE THAT OUR BAR AND GALLEY WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. IF WE DON'T HAVE ADVANCE BOOKINGS, THERE'S A CHANCE THE GALLEY WILL BE CLOSED AND NO FOOD AVAILABLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

Visitors fees from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 are :

Short stay £9.50. SPECIAL SUMMER OFFER - £3.50 PER METRE FOR ALL OVERNIGHT STAYS UNTIL END OF AUGUST 2024) .

Payment direct to the club by BACS is preferred. The details are :

Account name : Royal Victoria Yacht Club | Sort code : 20-60-55 | Account number : 10769401

Please include the name of your boat and date of visit as payment reference.

Card payments only can be made at the club during opening hours. Please note we no longer accept cash payments.

The toilets and changing rooms are accessed via the back door the code for the door is 2415.

We have had some fantastic comments from some of our visitors :

"We were most impressed by the can-do attitude of all we met at the RVYC"

"May your club go from strength to strength"

"Thank you for a lovely stay"

"Many thanks for your warm welcome. RVYC remains one of the Solent's best-kept secrets!"

"Thank you for a lovely stay. We all agreed it was just what the doctor ordered"

Now is a good time to discover this lovely place for yourself and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Rally organisers

We're happy to host your rally. Please email [email protected] for details of special rates and also if you'd like a special dinner during your visit, our caterers will tailor a menu to suit you.

NEW CATERING AND BAR ARRANGEMENTS

DW Hospitality are now providing hospitality at the club. I hope you will support Danny and his team. They have all worked at our club for a while now and so are aware of our particular needs and constraints of tides and weather, etc. They are full of enthusiasm and pride in their roles; the Galley produces delicious meals, including weekly specials and Sunday roasts

Menus and opening times can be seen on this page . Please let us know if you have any food allergies

Please contact Danny & his team at [email protected] or call, WhatsApp or text 07534-859739

VISITING DOGS

We welcome visiting dogs are welcome, but please note this byelaw :

DOGS: to be kept on leads and under proper control at all times both inside and outside the Clubhouse. No dogs (except guide/assistance dogs) are allowed in the dining area.

Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs if fouling occurs anywhere on the Club premises.

A change has been made to the Club's byelaw :

Smoking is only allowed in the designated smoking area. No smoking, including e-cigarettes, is allowed anywhere else on the Club premises

DIRECTIONS ON LAND

From either Newport or Ryde take the A3054 towards Wootton. Follow the directions for the car ferry terminal at Fishbourne.

The club is located on Fishbourne Lane adjacent to the Wightlink Fishbourne ferry terminal. The driveway is immediately before the ferry entrance.

DIRECTIONS FROM SEA

You may moor your boat alongside the pontoon for a short stay or overnight.

The club is situated at the mouth of Wootton Creek next to the Wightlink ferry terminal.

Please note that the moorings in the mouth of the creek are private as are the seasonal National Squib moorings to the east of the RVYC race box. The Squib moorings will not take the weight of a cruiser. Anchoring in the mouth of the creek is also not permitted.

Rally organisers, please contact the office for special rally rates.

You can pay your mooring fees at the bar or by BACS, or if the club is closed please drop it in the letterbox at the side of the club entrance (see above).

The nearest shops are at Wootton Bridge, about half an hour's walk from the club.

PONTOON ARRANGEMENTS

Ownership of the RVYC pontoon has changed. Since April 2015 the end (seaward) section is now privately owned. If you do moor on this section you may be approached for payment by the owners.

In October 2014 the RVYC installed new piles inboard on our section of the pontoon, thereby removing any brackets on the east side, and increasing berthing space.

How will I know if I am on the RVYC pontoon?

At the start of the RVYC section of the pontoon, you will see a gantry sign, any spaces south of this sign are for visitors to the RVYC.

But as a quick and easy guide, the RVYC section has piles with white caps on, a few metres north of the first RVYC pile there is a white line on the pontoon deck, this is where our pontoon begins. Any section from the white line to the walkway is RVYC berthing. Short stays and overnight fees can be paid at the bar.

PONTOON DEPTH

There is a popular misconception that one side of the pontoon has deeper water; this is untrue, There is however approximately half a metre difference in depth from one end to the other - the Club end being shallower. The actual depth at any point in the tidal curve is approximately one metre above chart datum for Portsmouth. If, therefore, the current depth for Portsmouth is 4.5m we will have a pontoon depth of 3.5m.

DOES THE PONTOON DRY?

Yes. If you want to stay overnight and are a bilge keel, lifting keel or are happy to take the mud (which is soft), then you will be OK. We do not encourage fin keel boats to stay.

However, all but the big fin keel boats should be able to visit us three hours either side of high water, but keep an eye on the depth and don't leave your departure until the last minute!

Last updated 16:03 on 14 July 2024

VERY EARLY HISTORY 

Looking back to the early days of the Victoria Yacht Club in 1853.

There is a lack of reliable records about the Club’s origins. Facts are difficult to verify. Searches of Trove to find newspaper reports of business activities by the men who were listed as yacht owners on the 1856 register of the Victoria Yacht Club has revealed the following information about four members. 

• George F. Verdon
• W.R. Probert
• Mr. John Musson
• Dr. J. Wilkins. 

It is possible that during the summer of 1853, these four gentlemen were meeting at social gatherings at one of the hotels in Melbourne, the Tattersalls Hotel or the Port Phillip Club Hotel, and the Chusan Hotel in Sandridge, before the Port Phillip Yacht Club was established in May, 1853. These men may have engaged in sailing races. 

An advertisement appeared in the Argus on Saturday 25 th   February, 1854 to announce that a William Richard Probert had taken Mr. George F. Verdon into partnership at his business located at Sandridge. As from 17th February 1854, the business would be known as ‘Probert, Verdon & Co.’ and operate as a ship chandlers and commission agents. They may have jointly owned the yacht Petrel.  

Surgeon Dr. John Wilkins was a landowner and owned several hotels. Deceased persons were kept in the pub cellars before autopsy or/and burial. Dr. Wilkins was the Surgeon for the Port of Melbourne (1853) and, in 1861, Dr. Wilkins built the mortuary at Williamstown which still stands in Ann Street. 

Mr John Musson, is noted as a Contractor based in St. Kilda and was listed as a member (1857) of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria (PIV) and the Royal Society of Victoria (RSV) with business activities in Geelong. 

Captain Charles Ferguson, who became Vice Commodore of the Victoria Yacht Club in 1856, was the Harbour Master in Williamstown (1852) and the Water Police Magistrate. He may have had dealings with Mr. William Stawell, who became the State Attorney General in 1855. Mr. W.F. Stawell (later Sir) was known for his keen interest in sports and was the Club’s first Commodore. It is highly likely that Captain Ferguson met the port surgeon, Dr. Wilkins as part of his duties as water police magistrate. The Port Phillip Club Hotel in Flinders Street, now known as the Young and Jackson Hotel, may have been owned by Dr. Wilkins (this needs to be verified). 

There is more information available in yachting news reports from 1856 onwards. There are papers and sailing logs lodged with the State Library from ‘Colonel’ Richard Heath who was Vice Commodore in 1872. He sailed the yacht Southern Cross with the Victoria Yacht Club from 1857. A manuscript by a Hartley R. Watson is lodged with the State Library of Victoria titled “Logs related to sailing: 1890-1956” and Mr H.F. Watson (Bill) was reappointed as RYCV’s Honorary Historian at the Annual General meeting in August 1965.  He held this role for forty years. 

Ann Goodwin, Chair Archives Sub-committee, GC member 2018-19

Founded in May 1853 at the Port Phillip Yacht Club, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria has a long and proud history being one of the oldest clubs in Australia. In 1873, the Club was granted the privilege of flying the Blue Ensign of the Colony of Victoria. Queen Victoria, in 1886, granted the Club the privileges of a royal club and the Admiralty granted a Full Warrant to fly the Blue Ensign of Her Majesty’s Fleet. The Club added the name ‘Royal’ to its name and it has since been known as the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. 

The Club is continually looking to explore every opportunity to further the experience for Members. In 2013, the Club celebrated its 160th year with a formal evening at one of Melbourne’s biggest icons, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). An exciting time for the Club lies ahead, both on and off the water. 

Club races in the very early days were held on Corio Bay, but in 1873 the Club moved to its present site at 120 Nelson Place, Williamstown on the banks of the picturesque Port Phillip. It was to be the dawn on a new era, and a move the Club has never regretted. 

The average class of yacht on the Club register was much different from today, with straight-stemmed deep-keel cutters ranging from 6 to 40 tons. Most of the famous yachts seen in Port Phillip have been on the Royals register, including the 400-ton schooner   Undine , owned by the Millar brothers, and the beautiful 35-ton   Cushie Doo . 

As a senior club, it is no surprise that two of the biggest sailing events in Australia’s history, the 1956 Olympics and the 1983 America’s Cup both featured RYCV. To Royals went the honour of hosting the 5.5 metre yachts at the 1956 Games. The 1983 Australian challenge for the America’s Cup was perhaps the most significant commitment ever entered into by the Club over its long history. Although Williamstown-sponsored   Challenge 12   was not successful in defeating Australia II for the right to challenge, some members of the Victorian team were co-opted into the victorious Bond syndicate which wrestled the America’s Cup from New York. 

The Club has had some fine sailors over the years and although a number of Royals crews have competed in the Sydney to Hobart race, it wasn’t until 1996 that a Club boat won:   Terra Firma,   sailed by clubmen Dean Wilson, Scott Carlisle and as principal helmsman, Ian ‘Barney’ Walker. 

The Clubhouse

Lack of funds in the early days prevented the acquisition of a clubhouse with members sailing from Williamstown but meeting at the Port Phillip Club Hotel in Flinders Street, and later in the Old Temple Court, Collins Street. It was not until 1905 that the Club moved into a home of its own, when it obtained the lease on Wickliffe House, a grand building on the Upper Esplande in St Kilda. 

It being felt that the city rooms tended to make the Club more of a social than a sailing club; it was decided to make Williamstown the sole clubhouse. It represented a huge commitment financially, but finally in 1935 the Club had its own building. 

In 1967, the Club began construction of a marina and the 100-year-old two-storey boathouse was demolished to make room for an extended hardstand. What was not planned though was the loss of the clubhouse three years later in 1970. A fire began in the kitchen and raced through the wooden building, destroying the majority of the Club’s treasured relics such as pictures, half-models and honour boards. Stoically, Members rallied and the Club rose metaphorically from the ashes, a new brick building having been constructed for the benefit of the 350 Members only a little over a year later. 

In 2002, there was an extension of the clubhouse with the addition of fresh office and meeting spaces. Not long after this, a new and significantly larger deck was also constructed allowing Club events to spill out from the clubhouse to overlook our magnificent lawn area and embrace our view of the Melbourne CBD. Royals is fond of its past but equally looks to the future. 

View History Timeline

Want to know more?

You can read more about the history of the Club in the   souvenir booklet   prepared for the 150th Anniversary.

  Make a contribution to the archives

Interested in helping us build our Club archives? We’d love your help! If you have anything you’d like to add to the club archives, please contact the office on (03) 9397 1277 or submit your contribution to   Ann Goodwin (Archives Chair 2018-19).

Ann’s always looking for stories, photographs and documents that can be added to our collection. Volunteers are always needed to help us with:

• Sort through and organise the Club archives
• Present the collection in a meaningful way